Stackable receptacle for the shipment of goods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a reusable stackable shipping box are provided herein. The reusable stackable shipping box may be reused and cleaned without causing harm to the integrity of the box. In addition, the box is slightly tapered in shape such that the box may be stacked upon and within other boxes for ease in shipping and organization.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. Thisapplication is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/421,336,filed May 23, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/994,886, filed May 31, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/386,547, filed Dec. 21, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/254,380, filed Sep. 1,2016, which, in turn, claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisionalapplication No. 62/220,816, filed Sep. 18, 2015, the entire contents allof which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The disclosure relates to the field of boxes and receptacles, and inparticular, to reusable stackable receptacles used for shipping andorganizing goods and items, including perishable foods. Also disclosedherein are methods of making said reusable stackable receptacles.

Description

An increasing demand for the shipment of goods, including perishablegoods, presents the problem of efficiently delivering these goods. Inparticular, it is difficult to deliver such goods without damaging thegoods within the box. Perishable goods in particular are difficult toship because of the need to adequately control the environment insidethe shipping container, such as the temperature.

In addition to the difficulty of protecting the goods located in theboxes, there is the added problem of protecting the shipping box itself.For the shipment of perishable goods, in particular, it is sometimescommonplace to reuse the shipping container. Many goods, includingperishable items, release moisture or create condensation, whichpenetrates the shipping container, resulting in a rapid breakdown of theshipping container such that it is unfit for reuse. Other goods soil theshipping container such that it would be unfit for reuse without firstcleaning the container. In addition, the nature of reusing shippingcontainers presents the problem of damaging the boxes as a result of theconstant handling and reuse.

Because the shipment of goods, including perishable foods, is everincreasing, it is increasingly necessary to organize the individualitems within a suitable container, and to further organize the mass oforders. Typically, such organization is performed through stacking.However, many shipping boxes are unable to adequately stack in such amanner that the goods inside are sufficiently protected and the stackedboxes themselves are stacked in a stable manner.

SUMMARY

The devices and methods of the disclosure each have several aspects, nosingle one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes.Without limiting the scope of this disclosure as expressed by the claimswhich follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly.After considering the following detailed descriptions and drawings, onewill understand how the features of this disclosure provide advantagesthat include a foldable box configured for retaining items andconfigured for stacking with other boxes as described herein.

One embodiment comprises a reusable stackable box for the shipment andorganization of goods, including perishable or non-perishable goods. Abox is provided, wherein the box may be formed of a unitary piece ofmaterial, or alternatively may be comprised of various portions orpieces that are joined together by means of attachment, such as by glue,tape, adhesive, or staples. The box comprises four main side walls,referred herein as front face, first side face, rear face, and secondside face. The front face is attached along one side to the first sideface, which is attached along the opposite side to the rear face, whichis attached to the second side face. Each face respectively has a flap,which is designed for assembly purposes and for conferring stackablefeatures to the box. The box may further comprise a water- andgrease-resistant lining that allows the box to be readily reused and towithstand occasions when the box becomes wet, soiled, or otherwiseblemished by the shipment or storage of particular goods. Thesefeatures, together with other features herein further explained, willbecome obvious through a reading of the following description of thedrawings and detailed description.

In one aspect, a receptacle for the shipment of goods comprises a frontface comprising a front handle opening; a front flap comprising a frontsupport slot, the front flap attached to the front face along an edge ofthe front face; a first side face having first support slots formedtherein, the first side face attached to the front face; a first segmentattached to the first side face along an edge of the first side face; afirst flap attached to the first segment along an edge of the firstsegment, the first flap comprising second support tabs formed along afirst edge of the first flap, a front support tab formed along a secondedge of the first flap, and a rear support tab formed along a third edgeof the first flap; a rear face comprising a rear handle opening, therear face attached to the first side face; a rear flap attached along anedge of the rear face, the rear flap having a rear support slot formedtherein; a second side face attached to the rear face; a second segmentattached to the second side face along an edge of the second side face;a second flap attached to the second segment along an edge of the secondsegment, wherein the second flap comprises second support slots andfirst support tabs; wherein the first support tabs are configured forinsertion into the first support slots, the second support tabs areconfigured for insertion into the second support slots, and wherein thefront support tab is configured for insertion into the front supportslot, and the rear support tab is configured for insertion into the rearsupport slot.

In some embodiments, the first segment and second segments are attachedto the first and second side faces respectively so as to fold along theedges of the first and second side faces to which the first and secondsegments are attached.

In some embodiments, the first segment and second segments are attachedto the first and second side flaps respectively so as to fold along theedges of the first and second side flaps to which the first and secondsegments are attached.

In some embodiments, the first and second segments are folded along theedge of the first and second side faces to which the first and secondsegments are attached through an angle of about 180° such that the firstand second segments are substantially parallel to and substantiallyflush with the first and second side faces, respectively.

In some embodiments, the first and segments are folded along the edge ofthe first and second side flaps to which the first and second segmentsare attached so as to form an angle of about 90° degrees between thefirst and second segments and the first and second side flaps.

In some embodiments, the first and second side flaps form a platformextending in a direction generally perpendicular to the first and secondside faces.

In some embodiments, the first side face has a plurality of thirdsupport slots formed therein; the second side face has a plurality offourth support slots formed therein; the front flap has a plurality ofthird support tabs formed thereon; and the rear flap has a plurality offourth support tabs formed thereon; wherein at least one of theplurality of third support tabs is configured for insertion into one ofthe plurality of third support slots and at least another one of theplurality of third support tabs is configured for insertion to one ofthe plurality of fourth support slots; and wherein at least one of theplurality of fourth support tabs is configured for insertion into one ofthe plurality of third support slots and at least another one of theplurality of fourth support tabs is configured for insertion to one ofthe plurality of fourth support slots.

In some embodiments, the front face, rear face, and the first and secondside faces comprise at least one linerboard, and wherein awater-resistant material is applied to the at least one linerboards.

In some embodiments, the front and rear faces are each tapered from afirst dimension to a second dimension along a width of the front andrear faces.

In some embodiments, the edge of the front face to which the front flapis attached corresponds to the first dimension, and is larger than thedimension of an edge of the front face opposite the edge of the frontface to which the front flap is attached, and wherein the edge of therear face to which the rear flap is attached corresponds to the firstdimension, and is larger than the dimension of an edge of the rear faceopposite the edge of the rear face to which the rear flap is attached.

In some embodiments, the first side face and the second side faces areeach tapered from a first dimension to a second dimension.

In some embodiments, the first dimension of the first side facecorresponds to a top section of the first side face proximate the firstsegment and the second dimension of the first side face corresponds isproximate the second bottom fold, and wherein the first dimension of thesecond side face corresponds to a top section of the second side faceproximate the second segment and the second dimension of the second sideface is proximate the fourth bottom fold.

In some embodiments, the receptacle further comprises a removabledivider insertable into the receptacle to divide an interior volume ofthe receptacle into at least two sections.

In some embodiments, the divider comprises a vertical portion and ahorizontal portion, the horizontal portion having a support portionextending from the horizontal portion to a bottom surface of thereceptacle, the support portion forming a shelf, thereby forming threesections within an internal volume of the receptacle.

In some embodiments, the second side flap comprises a finger slot formedtherein

In another aspect described herein, a method for assembling a receptaclecomprises providing a receptacle comprising a front face comprising afront handle opening; a front flap comprising a front support slot, thefront flap attached to the front face along an edge of the front face; afirst side face having first support slots formed therein, the firstside face attached to the front face; a first segment attached to thefirst side face along an edge of the first side face; a first flapattached to the first segment along an edge of the first segment, thefirst flap comprising second support tabs formed along a first edge ofthe first flap, a front support tab formed along a second edge of thefirst flap, and a rear support tab formed along a third edge of thefirst flap; a rear face comprising a rear handle opening, the rear faceattached to the first side face; a rear flap attached along an edge ofthe rear face, the rear flap having a rear support slot formed therein;second side face attached to the rear face; a second segment attached tothe second side face along an edge of the second side face; a secondflap attached to the second segment along an edge of the second segment,wherein the second flap comprises second support slots and first supporttabs; folding the front flap along the edge along a score linecorresponding to the edge of the front face to which the front flap isattached; folding the second segment along a score line corresponding tothe edge of the second side face to which the second segment is attachedsuch that at least a portion of a first planar surface of the secondsegment contacts a second planar surface of the second side face;folding the second segment along a score line corresponding to the edgeof the second segment which is attached to the second flap toapproximately a right angle to the first planar surface of the secondsegment; inserting the first support tabs into the first support slots;folding the first segment along a score line corresponding to the edgeof the first side face to which the first segment is attached such thatat least a portion of a first planar surface of the first segmentcontacts a second planar surface of the first side face; folding thefirst segment along a score line corresponding to the edge of the firstsegment which is attached to the first flap to approximately a rightangle relative to first planar surface of the first segment; insertingthe second support tabs into the second support slots; inserting thefront support tab into the front support slot; and inserting the rearsupport tab into the rear support slot.

In some embodiments, the first side face has a plurality of thirdsupport slots formed therein; the second side face has a plurality offourth support slots formed therein; the front flap has a plurality ofthird support tabs formed thereon; the rear flap has a plurality offourth support tabs formed thereon; and wherein the method furthercomprises inserting one of the plurality of third support tabs into oneof the plurality of third support slots; inserting one of the pluralityof third support tabs into one of the plurality of fourth support slots;inserting one of the plurality of fourth support tabs into one of theplurality of third support slots; inserting one of the plurality offourth support tabs into one of the plurality of fourth support slots.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises attaching a jointsegment, which is attached to the second side face, to the front face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features described above, additional features andvariations will be readily apparent from the following descriptions ofthe drawings and exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood thatthese drawings depict typical embodiments, and are not intended to belimiting in scope.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a reusablestackable shipping box in an upright, assembled, opened position.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a reusablestackable shipping box in an upright, assembled, closed position

FIG. 2A is a front view of one embodiment of a reusable stackableshipping box in its upright, assembled, closed position.

FIG. 2B is a side view of one embodiment of a reusable stackableshipping box in its upright, assembled, closed position.

FIG. 2C is a side view of one embodiment of a reusable stackableshipping box in its upright, assembled, closed position, illustratingthe opposite side of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A depicts a top view of an embodiment of a reusable stackableshipping box in an unassembled state.

FIG. 3B depicts a top view of another embodiment of a reusable stackableshipping box in an unassembled state.

FIG. 3C depicts a bottom view of the reusable stackable shipping box ofFIG. 3B.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a reusablestackable shipping box stacked with a second reusable stackable shippingbox.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cutaway view of one embodiment of the reusablestackable shipping box taken along line 4B-4B′.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the reusable box, wherein thereusable stackable shipping box comprises a box material having water-and grease-resistant coating applied thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described in various exemplary embodiments andimplementations as provided herein. However, it should be understoodthat the various features, aspects, and functionalities described in oneor more of the individual embodiments are not limited in theirapplicability to the particular embodiment with which they aredescribed. Instead, they can be applied alone or in various combinationsto one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether theembodiments are described or whether the features are presented as beinga part of the described embodiment. The breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any exemplary embodiments describedor shown herein.

In some embodiments, a reusable stackable shipping receptacle isprovided. It is to be understood that as used throughout thisdisclosure, the term receptacle may refer to a box, a container, orother item used for the shipment of goods. The reusable stackableshipping receptacle is useful for shipping various items, includingperishable and nonperishable goods. As used herein, and as recognized bythose of skill in the art, non-limiting examples of perishable goods caninclude, for example, foodstuffs, medications, and plants. Non-limitingexamples of nonperishable goods can include, for example, electronics,media, textiles, and other nonperishable materials suitable forshipment. The reusable stackable shipping box disclosed herein is robustand sturdy so as to provide a protected environment for the itemscontained therein. The shipping box is also capable of reuse. Thestackable shipping box is capable of being stacked upon other boxes andhaving other boxes stacked upon it, while retaining its ability toprotect the goods inside. The box may be constructed of a durablematerial, such as corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, plastics, polymers,and recycled materials. The reusable stackable shipping box mayadditionally have water- and grease-resistant coatings, which protectthe box from becoming saturated with moisture or oils, as can commonlyoccur when shipping food items. In addition, the coating allows a userto readily clean the box for reuse when the box becomes soiled, scuffed,marked, and otherwise blemished without damaging the box.

Surfaces of the reusable box are described as being substantiallyparallel or substantially perpendicular to one another. As used herein,the terms substantially parallel and substantially parallel are used todescribe surfaces that may not be exactly perpendicular or parallel dueto a tapering of the reusable box from a top opening toward a bottom.Thus, a surface which tapers toward another surface can be described asbeing substantially parallel or perpendicular to the other surface.

The present disclosure may refer to various portions of a receptaclebeing attached along an edge, and may refer to folding a segment alongan edge. By describing a particular surface or segment of a receptacleas being folded does not mean only that the section or segment beingdiscussed has a fold formed directly there, but can also refer tofolding of a segment along an edge or a scoreline proximate or borderingthe section or segment. A description of folding a particular segmentcan mean folding along an edge or score line bordering or proximate tothe particular segment.

FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of the reusable box in its upright,assembled, opened position. FIG. 1B depicts the reusable box in itsupright, assembled, closed position. The following description refers toboth FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In this embodiment, a reusable stackableshipping box is provided, wherein the box 100 comprises a front face110, a front flap 115, a first side face 130, a first side flap 135, arear face 150, a rear flap 155, a second side face 170, a second sideflap 175, and a closed bottom (not shown). As used herein the term facecan refer to a side, a panel, a wall, or an inside or outside surface ofthe box.

The front face 110 comprises a first front elongated handle opening 113,which may be used by an individual as a handle to grasp or carry the box100, and a second front elongated handle opening 116 extends through anupper portion of the front face 110 which corresponds to the first frontelongated handle opening 113 when the front flap is folded down into thereusable box. For purposes of this disclosure, an opening, such as theelongated handle opening described herein, may be a cavity, slot, oraperture that extends through a portion of the surface or which extendsentirely through the surface of the material in which the opening isformed. The front face 110 is attached to the front flap 115 along theupper length of the front face 110. The front face 110 may be attachedto the front flap 115 by any means of attachment, including, forexample, with tape, glue, or staples. In some embodiments, it may beintegrally formed as a unitary piece of material, wherein a score lineor a fold runs the length of the front face 110, and demarcates thefront face 110 from the front flap 115. For purpose of this disclosure,a score line may be, for example, an indentation, depression, imprint,weakness, hash, or perforation in the box material that is provided toallow the two portions demarcated by the score line to fold, bend, flex,hinge, or move along the score line.

In some embodiments, the front face 100 is tapered from the top portionwhere it connects to the front flap to a bottom portion, such that thetop portion is longer than the bottom portion. The taper of the frontface 110 imparts a taper to the box 100 when the box is assembled, aswill be described elsewhere herein.

The front flap 115 comprises the second front elongated handle opening116, which extends through the upper portion of the front flap 115, andwhich may be configured in size, shape, and location for alignment withthe first front elongated handle opening 113 of the front face 110. Thefront flap 115 also comprises a front support slot 114 that extendsthrough the surface of the front flap 115. As described herein, a slotmay be, for example, a recess, hole, groove, or opening that may extendpartially or entirely through the surface of the reusable box, and isconfigured in size, shape, and location to receive a tab for insertion.The front flap 115 comprises a first assembly tab 121 and a secondassembly tab 123 which are configured in size, shape, and location forassembly purposes, as described below. As described herein, a tab maybe, for example, a segment, extension, or section of a surface that isconfigured in size, shape, and location for insertion into a slot.

The rear face 150 is similar to and comprises similar features as thefront face 110, and is also tapered, similar to front face 110. Forexample, The rear face 150 comprises a first rear elongated handleopening 153 that extends through the surface of the rear face 150. Therear face 150 is attached to the rear flap 155. The rear face 150 may beattached to the rear face 155 with attachment means, for example, withtape, glue, or staples. In some embodiments, the rear face 150 may beattached to the rear flap 155 as a unitary piece of material, wherein ascore line or fold runs the length of the rear face 150, and demarcatesthe rear face 155 from the rear flap 155.

The rear flap 155 comprises a second rear elongated handle opening 156that extends through the surface of the rear flap 155, and that isconfigured in size, shape, and location for alignment with the firstrear elongated handle opening 153 of the rear face 150 when the reusablebox is closed. The rear flap 155 additionally comprises a rear supportslot 154 that extends through the surface of the rear flap 155. The rearflap 155 comprises a third assembly tab 125 and a fourth assembly tab127 that are configured in size, shape, and location for assemblypurposes, described below.

The first side face 130 is attached to the front face 110 along a frontvertical line, such that the first side face 130 is substantiallyperpendicular to the front face 110 when the box 100 is in its upright,assembled position. The first side face 130 is also attached to the rearface 150 along a rear vertical line, such that the first side face 130is substantially perpendicular to the rear face 150, and the rear face150 is substantially parallel to the front face 110. The first side face130 may be attached to the front face 110 and the rear face 150 withattachment means, such as with glue, tape, or staples. The first sideface 130 may be attached to the front face 110 or the rear face 150 as aunitary piece of material, wherein a score line demarcates therespective faces. The first side face 130 comprises first support slots134. The first side face further comprises a second assembly slot 122and a third assembly slot 124, which are configured in size, shape, andlocation for insertion of second assembly tab 123 and third assembly tab125, respectively.

The first side face 130 is attached to a first segment 137 along the toplength. Attachment of the first side face 130 to the first segment 137is by attachment means, as previously described. In some embodiments,the first segment 137 is attached to a first side flap 135 as a unitarypiece of material, and is demarcated by a score line 139 that runs thelength of the first side flap 135.

The first side flap 135 is attached to the first segment 137, andcomprises second support tabs 144, which are located along the length ofthe first side flap 135. The first side flap 135 additionally comprisesa front support tab 145 and a rear support tab 146. The front supporttab 145 is configured in size, shape, and location for insertion intothe front support slot 114, and the rear support tab 146 is configuredin size, shape, and location for insertion into the rear support slot154. The first side flap additionally comprise a first finger slot 136.

Opposite from and substantially parallel to the first side face 130 isthe second side face 170. The second side face 170 is attached to thefront face 110 along a front vertical line, such that the second sideface 170 is substantially perpendicular to the front face 110 when thebox 100 is in its assembled, upright position. The second side face 170is attached to the rear face 150 along a rear vertical line, such thatthe second face 170 is substantially perpendicular to the rear face 150when the box 100 is in its upright, assembled position. Attachment maybe by any of the means described herein. The second side face 170comprises a first assembly slot 120 and a fourth assembly slot 126 (FIG.2C), which are configured in size, shape, and location for insertion ofthe first assembly tab 121 and the fourth assembly tab 127,respectively.

The second side face 170 is attached to a second segment 177 along thetop length of the second side face 170. Attachment of the second sideface 170 to the second segment 177 is by attachment means, as previouslydescribed. In some embodiments, the second segment 177 is attached to asecond side flap 175 as a unitary piece of material, and is demarcatedby a score line 179 that runs the length of the second side flap 175.

The second side flap 175 comprises first support tabs that are similarto second support tabs 144, which are located along the length of thesecond side flap 175, and which are configured in size, shape, andlocation for insertion into the first support slots 134. The second sideflap 175 additionally comprises second support slots 174, which arelocated along the score line 179 that demarcates the second side flap175 from the second segment 177. The second support slots 174 areconfigured in size, shape, and location for insertion of the secondsupport tabs 144. The second side flap may additionally comprise a firstfinger slot (not shown), which is similar to first finger slot 136.

To fold the box 100 into the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1B, thefront flap 115 and the rear flap 155 are folded down into the interiorof the box 100 along a score line or fold which attached the front andrear faces 110 and 150 to the front and rear flaps 115 and 155. Thefront support slot 114 and the rear support slot 154 face interiorportion of the box 100, and are configured in size, shape, and locationfor insertion of the front support tab 145 and the rear support tab 146.The front elongated handle openings 113 and 116 align, such that theelongated handle openings 113 and 116 form a void extending through thefront face 110 and the front flap 115, and creating a handle grip alongthe front face 110. Similarly, the rear elongated handle openings 153and 156 align, providing a handle grip along the rear face 150.

The first assembly tab 121 and a second assembly tab 123 are insertedinto the first assembly slot 120 and the second assembly slot 122,respectively, such that the first and second assembly tabs 121, 123extend into and at least partially through the first and second assemblyslots 120, 122. The first and second assembly tabs 121 and 123 are sizedand shaped to be releasably retained in the first and second assemblyslots 120, 122, such that the front flap 115 is maintained folded intothe interior of the box and is maintained substantially parallel and/orin contact with at least a portion of the front face 110. The third andfourth assembly tabs 125, 127 are similarly inserted into third andfourth assembly slots 124, 126, thereby releasably retaining the rearflap 155 substantially parallel to the rear face 150 and/or at leastpartially in contact with the rear face 150.

The second segment 177 is folded down to contact and/or be substantiallyparallel to an inner surface of the second side face 170 such that thesecond segment 177 extends down along the interior surface of the secondside face 170 substantially parallel to the second side face 170. Thesecond side flap 175 is folded or bent along score line 179 to extendoutward across the opening of the box 100, the second side flap 175being substantially perpendicular to the second side face 170. The firstsupport tabs (not shown) are inserted into the first support slots 134formed in the first side face 130, similar to the tabs and slotsdescribed elsewhere herein. By inserting the first support tabs into thefirst support slots 134, the second side flap 175 is releasablymaintained substantially perpendicular to the second side face 170 andsubstantially parallel to the bottom of the box 100. The cooperation ofthe first support tabs and the first support slots 134 allow the secondside flap 175 to bear weight, such as the weight of a second box 100placed on top of the first box 100.

The first side flap 135 is then folded into the interior of the box 100such that the first segment 137 extends down into the interior of thebox 100, at least partially in contact with or substantially parallel toan inner surface of the first side face 130. The first side flap 135 andthe first segment 137 are folded along the score line 139, and the firstside flap 135 is extended outward along the top of the second side flap175, such that it is substantially parallel with the second side flap175 and/or at least partially in contact with the second side flap 175,and substantially perpendicular to the first side face 130. The secondsupport tabs 144 are inserted into second support slots 174 similar tothose described elsewhere herein. The front support tab 145 is insertedinto the front support slot 114, and the rear support tab 146 isinserted into the rear support slot 154. As depicted, the front and rearsupport tabs 145 and 146 do not extend through the front face 110 andthe rear face 150, as the front face 100 and the rear face 150 do nothave corresponding openings. In some embodiments, the front face 110 andthe rear face 150 have openings corresponding to the front and rearsupport tabs 145 and 146 such that the front and rear support tabs 145,146 extend through and are visible outside the box 100.

In the closed position, the combination of the first side flap 135 andthe second side flap 170 form a surface on which items, such as otherboxes 100 can be received and stacked. In the assembled, upright, closedposition, the box 100 also has a lip or rim which can extend around abottom portion of another box 100 stacked thereon.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that the taper of the box 100,or in other words, that the bottom portion of the box 100 is smallerthan the top portion of the box, allows for stacking multiple boxes 100together. such that the bottom portion of one box is capable of sittingin the top portion of a closed box. The top portion of the box has agreater area than the bottom portion of the box. Because the top portionof the box is larger than the bottom portion, the front face 110, rearface 150, first side face 130, and second side face 170 are not exactlyperpendicular with the bottom of the box 100. Although the faces aresubstantially perpendicular, a slight angle is required in order togenerate the taper. In some embodiments, the taper of the box can bedefined by the algorithm. The taper of the box is set such that theinner surface of the rim or lip of the closed box corresponds to thedimensions of the outside of a bottom perimeter of the closed box, suchthat when one box 100 is inserted into the recess of another box 100,the inner surface of the rim or lip of the first box 100 mates with theouter diameter of the bottom portion of the second box 100 and creates afriction fit, to securely and releasably hold the boxes 100 together.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of the front face 110 of one embodimentof the reusable box in its upright, assembled, closed position. Thefront face 110 may be identical to the rear face 150, and comprises thefirst front elongated handle opening 113, as described elsewhere herein.The first front elongated handle opening 113 penetrates entirely throughthe front face 110, such that an individual may use the first frontelongated handle opening 113 as a handle to carry or grasp the shippingbox. FIG. 2A also illustrates that an embodiment of the box in itsupright, assembled, closed position is slightly tapered in shape, suchthat the top portion of the box is larger than the bottom portion of thebox, as described previously. The tapered design allows the box to stackupon and within other stackable shipping boxes.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the first side face 130 of oneembodiment of the reusable box in its assembled, upright, closedposition. The first side face 130 comprises first support slots 134 thatare configured in size and shape for the insertion of first support tabs184. The first side face 130 also comprises the second assembly slot 122and the third assembly slot 124 that are useful for assembly of the box100, as described elsewhere herein.

FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of the second side face 170 of oneembodiment of the box in its assembled, upright, closed position. Secondside face 170 is the face that is opposite the first side face 130, andsits substantially parallel to first side face 130. Second side face 170comprises the first assembly slot 120 and the fourth assembly slot 126that are useful for assembly of the box 100. FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrateone embodiment of the stackable shipping box, wherein the box isslightly tapered in shape, such that the top portion of the box islarger than the bottom portion, enabling the box to stack upon andwithin other stackable shipping boxes, as disclosed previously.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a box 300, in itsunassembled, flattened state. In some embodiments, the box 300 may becomprised of a unitary piece of material. Alternatively, the varioussegments and portions may be connected by attachment means, including,for example, glue, tape, and staples. The box material comprisesmaterial suitable for the construction of boxes, such as, for example,corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, plastics, polymers, and recycledmaterials. Corrugated fiberboard is a material having two linerboards,wherein a fluted medium is positioned between the two linerboards. Insome embodiments, the linerboards and the medium may be made from papermaterial.

As shown in FIG. 3A, this embodiment comprises four main segments. Firstsegment 309 comprises a front face 310, a first bottom fold 311, and afront flap 315. The front face 310 comprises a first front elongatedhandle opening 313, which penetrates entirely through the box material,and which may be used as a handle for grasping and carrying the box 300after it is assembled. The front flap 315 comprises a second frontelongated handle opening 316 and a front support slot 314. The firstassembly flap 315 also comprises a first assembly tab 321 and a secondassembly tab 323. The front flap 315 is connected to the front face 310along a score line that demarcates the front flap 315 from the frontface 310.

First segment 309 is adjacent to second segment 309, and sitssubstantially parallel to second segment 309. Notably, the segments arenot perfectly parallel, due to the tapered design of the box, aspreviously disclosed and described. Second segment 309 comprises a firstside face 330 that is joined to front face 310. A score line 390demarcates first side face 330 from front face 310. Second segment 309also comprises a second bottom fold 311 and a first side flap 335. Firstside face 330 comprises first support slots 334 and a second assemblyslot 322 and a third assembly slot 324. The second assembly slot islocated along the score line 390, and is configured in size, shape, andlocation for insertion of the second assembly tab 323. The thirdassembly slot is located along a score line 391, and is configured insize, shape, and location for insertion of a third assembly tab 325. Thefirst side flap 335 comprises second support tabs 344, a front supporttab 345, a rear support tab 346, and a first finger slot 336. First flap335 also comprises a score line 339 that creates a first segment 337,which is attached to the first side face 330 along one length and thefirst side flap 335 along the opposite length

Third segment 309 is adjacent to second segment 309, and is demarcatedfrom second segment 309 with the score line 391. Third segment 309 issubstantially parallel to second segment 309, but is not entirelyparallel with second segment 309, thereby creating a slight taper asdescribed previously. Third segment 309 comprises a rear face 350, athird bottom fold 311, and a rear flap 355. The rear face 350 comprisesa first rear elongated handle opening 353, which entirely penetrates thebox material, and which may be used as a handle for grasping andcarrying the box 300 when it is in its assembled state. The rear flap355 comprises a second rear elongated handle opening 356 and a rearsupport slot 354. The rear flap 355 also comprises a third assembly tab325 and a fourth assembly tab 327.

Fourth segment 309 is adjacent to third segment 309, and is demarcatedfrom third segment 309 with a score line 392. Fourth segment 309 issubstantially parallel to third segment 309, but is not perfectlyparallel to third segment 309, thereby allowing for a slight taper, aspreviously described. Fourth segment 309 comprises a second side face370, a fourth bottom fold 311, and a second side flap 375. The secondside face 370 comprises a fourth assembly slot 326 and a first assemblyslot 320. The fourth assembly slot 326 is located along the score line392, and is configured in size, shape, and location for insertion offourth assembly tab 327. The first assembly slot 320 is located along ascore line 393, and is configured in size, shape, and location forinsertion of first assembly tab 321. The second side face 370 alsocomprises a joint segment, or a manufacturer's joint 394 that is usedduring assembly of the box 300. The manufacturer's joint 394 isdemarcated from the second side face 370 by the score line 393. Thesecond side flap 375 comprises first support tabs 384, second supportslots 374, and a second finger slot 376. The second support slots 374are located along a score line 379 that runs the length of the secondflap 375, and which creates a second segment 377, which is attached tothe second side face 370 along one length and the second side flap 375along the opposite length.

Also provided herein are methods of assembling the reusable stackableshipping box. The method is provided wherein a flattened unitary pieceof material is provided, and the user folds the material into a box.Alternatively, separate portions and segments are provided, and theportions may be united by attachments means, including, for example,glue, tape, or staples. The method further provides an assembled box,wherein the user places goods with the box, and the user closes the boxsuch the box is capable of stacking upon other boxes or of being stackedupon in a stable manner and concomitantly protecting the goods containedtherein.

For assembly of the stackable shipping box 300 of FIG. 3A, the usertakes the manufacturer's joint 394 located on fourth segment 309 andattaches it to first segment 309, along the front face 310. In someembodiments, the manufacturer's joint 394 is attached to a surface ofthe front face 310 which faces the interior volume of the box 300 whenthe box is assembled. The joint 394 may be joined with adhesive to firstsegment 309, or alternatively may be stitched, stapled, or taped. One ofskill in the art will recognize that the joint 394 may be attached tofirst segment 309 by attachment means, as previously described herein.Attachment of the manufacturer's joint 394 to first segment 309 createsa four sided box, with each of segments 309, 329, 349, and 369 making aside of the box. The first through fourth bottom folds 311, 331, 351,and 371 are demarcated from their respective faces with score lines. Thefirst through fourth bottom folds 311, 331, 351, and 371 are folded upalong the length of the score lines in an interlocking manner to createthe bottom of the box. One of skill in the art will recognize that thebottom folds are configured in size and shape for efficient foldingtogether to create a supportive bottom or floor of the box, and could byany number of suitable configurations, including the configuration asdisclosed in the embodiment shown by FIG. 3A.

The front flap 315 and the rear flap 355 are demarcated from theirrespective faces with score lines. The front flap 315 is folded downalong the length of the score line to the interior of the box 300, suchthat the front flap 315 sits parallel with the inside surface of thefront face 310. Similarly, the rear flap 355 is folded down along thelength of the score line to the interior of the box 300, such that therear flap 355 sits parallel with the inside surface of the rear face350. First assembly tab 321 is configured in size, shape, and locationfor placement into first assembly slot 320 upon folding of the frontflap 315 down into the box 300. Similarly, second assembly tab 323,third assembly tab 325, and fourth assembly tab 327 are configured insize, shape, and location for insertion into second assembly slot 322,third assembly slot 324, and fourth assembly slot 326, respectively. Thesecond front elongated handle opening 316 aligns with the first frontelongated handle opening 313, such that the opening extends entirelythrough both the front face 310 and the front flap 315. Similarly, thesecond rear elongated handle opening 356 aligns with the first rearelongated handle opening 353, such that the opening extends entirelythrough both the rear face 350 and the rear flap 355.

The first side flap 335 and the second side flap 375 are demarcated fromtheir respective faces with score lines. The user may fold first andsecond flaps 335 and 375 down into the box 300 prior to packing the box.Alternatively, the user may pack the box 300 with goods prior to foldingfirst and second flaps 335 and 375. After packing the box 300, the userfolds the second segment 377 down into the box only to the score line379, such that the second segment 377 sits flush with, and parallel tothe inside surface of second side face 370. For example, the secondsegment 377 may be folded along the top edge of the second side face sothe second segment 377 is folded through an angle of approximately 180°.The second side flap 375 is folded along score line 379 to extend acrossthe opening of the box 300, whereupon the first support tabs 384 areplaced into the first support slots 334 that are located on the firstside face 330. The second side flap 375 can be folded to be positionedat an angle of approximately 90° relative to the surface of the secondsegment and the second side face. The first side flap 335 is then foldeddown along a top edge of the first side face into the box only to thescore line 339, such that the first segment 337 sits flush with, andparallel to the inward facing surface of the first side face 330. Forexample, the first segment 337 is folded down to through an angle ofapproximately 180° relative to the first side face 330. The first sideflap 335 then is folded along the score line 339 such that the firstside flap 335 extends across the second side flap 375, such that it sitsflush with, and parallel to the second side flap 375, whereupon thesecond support tabs 344 are inserted into the second support slots 374on the second side flap 375. The front support tab 345 is inserted intothe front support slot 314, and the rear support tab 346 is insertedinto the rear support slot 354. This configuration provides for a strongtop support that is parallel to the bottom of the box, such that thegoods located inside the box 300 do not become damaged. In addition,because the first segment 337 and the second segment 377 extend downinto the interior of the box, the first and second side flaps 335 and375 create a recessed top of the box 300, creating a lip around the topof the box 300 that allows for other stackable boxes to be placed uponthe lid of the packaged box in a stable manner. As described previously,the box is slightly tapered, such that the top of the box is slightlylarger than the bottom of the box, whereby the size of the open supportregion supports dimensions of the bottom of a box.

In some embodiments of the reusable box, the box 300 is provided whereinthe length (L) of the unassembled flattened box is 60.226 inches and theheight (H) is 42.058 inches. In some embodiments, L is 80.329 inches,and H is 50.289 inches. One of skill in the art will recognize that theaforementioned dimensions are for illustrative purposes only, and thatany number of dimensions, sizes, and shapes can be realized within thescope of the disclosure provided herein.

By way of example, the bottom can be an auto-lock bottom box, a 1-2-3bottom box, or any other box bottom. FIG. 3B depicts an top view of anembodiment of a reusable box 300 having an auto-lock bottom shown in anun assembled state. The reusable box 300 comprises first, second, third,and fourth segments 309, 329, 349, 369 as described elsewhere herein.First segment 309 comprises first bottom fold 311, which, in turn,comprises first attachment portion 311 a. The first attachment portion311 a may comprise an adhesive or other attachment mechanism. The secondsegment 329 comprises second bottom fold 331, which, in turn, comprisessecond attachment area 331 a. The second bottom fold 331 also includes afirst tab 331 b and a first tab notch 331 c. The second attachment area331 may comprise an adhesive on an underside of the attachment area 311a, or may comprise another attachment mechanism. When the box 300 isfolded or assembled, the underside of the second attachment portion 331a is placed over and attaches to the first attachment area 311 a usingan adhesive, glue, tape, staple, or other similar attachment mechanism.

The third segment 349 comprises the third bottom fold 351, whichcomprises third attachment area 351 a. The fourth segment comprisesfourth bottom fold 371, which comprises fourth attachment area 371 a.The fourth bottom fold 371 also includes a second tab 371 b, a secondtab notch 371 c, and a third tab notch 371 d. Similar to first andsecond attachment areas 311 a, 331 a, fourth attachment area 371 a isconfigured to cover and attach to third attachment area 351 a when thebox 300 is folded or assembled. The attachment at first and secondattachment areas 311 a and 331 a, and at 351 a and 371 a, can be fixedattachments, such that the bottom folds which are attached do notseparate. This allows attachment of the manufacturer's joint 394 asdescribed elsewhere herein, and flattening of the box, by moving thefirst, second, third, and fourth bottom folds 311, 331, 351, 371 intothe volume of the box 100. When moving the first, second, third, andfourth bottom folds 311, 331, 351, and 371 into the volume of the box300, the second and fourth bottom folds bend along first and secondscore lines 331 e, 371 e to accommodate the attachment between thebottom folds as described herein.

When the box 300 is ready to be used, the box 300 is unflattened, thefirst, second, third, and forth bottom folds 311, 331, 351, 371 extendfrom the internal volume of the box by virtue of the attachment betweenattachment areas 311 a and 331 a, and 351 a and 371 a. As the box isassembled, the first tab 331 b moves into the second tab notch 371 c andthe second tab 371 b moves into the first tab notch 331 c. The first tab331 b then further moves into third tab notch 371 d, where the tabcontacts an edge of the fourth bottom fold, contacts a second tab 371 b.The second tab 371 b contacts an edge of the second bottom fold 331.

FIG. 3C shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the box 300 of FIG. 3Bin an assembled state with the first and second attachment areas 311 a,331 a attached to each other, third and fourth attachment areas 351 a,371 a attached to each other, first tab 331 b inserted into second tabnotch 371 c and third tab notch 371 d, and second tab 371 b insertedinto first tab notch 331 c.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of two stacked boxes of oneembodiment of the reusable box, wherein the stackable feature of thestackable shipping boxes is illustrated. In this embodiment, a firstupright, assembled, closed stackable shipping box 400 is placed upon asecond upright, assembled, closed stackable shipping box 410. Box 400 isstacked upon box 410, such that the bottom portion of box 400 isrecessed down into box 410, within the lip region. Dashed lines 420 onbox 410 illustrate the lip region upon which box 400 is stacked, andfurther illustrates that shipping box 400 is placed somewhat within thetop portion of shipping box 410, thereby creating a stable stackingposition.

In this illustration, shipping box 400 is also closed with the flapscreating a lid and platform, to illustrate a rim 415 that is createdupon folding the flaps downward into the box. The flaps create asupportive lid 435, thereby protecting the goods within the box. Theconfiguration of the flaps also provides for a rim 415 within whichother boxes may be stacked. One of skill in the art will recognize thatfor the stacking configuration to take place, the boxes may be taperedin shape, such that the bottom portion of the box is somewhat smallerthan the upper portion of the box. Thus, a smaller bottom of one box iscapable of stacking within the larger upper portion of another box, asdescribed previously.

Certain embodiments of the reusable box include boxes wherein uponassembly, the boxes are tapered in configuration. Such tapering allowsthe boxes to readily stack one within the other, such that the bottom ofthe box is slightly smaller than the top of the box. Thus, the smallerbottom of one box can fit within the larger recessed top of anotherpacked box. In one embodiment, the tapering of the box follows thealgorithm, as previously described elsewhere herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side cutaway view of one embodiment of thestackable shipping box 410 taken along line 4B-4B to illustrate oneembodiment of the inside of the box in the assembled position. In thisembodiment, box 410 comprises three main compartments: a frozencompartment 411; a chilled compartment 412; and an ambient compartment413. The frozen compartment 411 is configured in size and shape for theplacement of a cooler, a bag, or a receptacle, that may contain frozengoods. Alternatively, the frozen goods may be placed directly into thebox 410, with the addition of ice, dry ice, gel packs, or other elementsused to maintain cold temperatures. Frozen goods may include, forexample, frozen meats, frozen vegetables and fruits, or frozen dairyproducts. The chilled compartment 412 is located on the bottom of thebox 410 and is configured in size and shape for the placement of acontainer containing chilled goods. Chilled goods may include, forexample, dairy products and other perishable items that requirechilling. The ambient compartment 413 is configured in size and shapefor the placement of goods, such as non-perishable goods that do notdemand any particular temperature requirements. Ambient items mayinclude, for example, canned goods, electronic goods, or other goods fitfor shipment in ambient temperature. In this embodiment, a divider 414may be provided to separate the various compartments and to keep thecontents securely in place.

The divider 414 can be a separate unit that can be placed within the box410 after assembly of the box, and for the purpose of providing separatecompartments for the shipment of goods. In some embodiments, the divider414 can be integrated into the box 410, or can be fixedly attachedwithin the box 410. The divider 414 comprises a vertical portion and ashelf portion. The shelf portion is moveably attached to the verticalportion, and can be folded to be parallel to the vertical position, orcan be moved to be perpendicular to the vertical portion. The shelfportion comprises a horizontal portion and a support portion. When thedivider 414 is inserted into the receptacle the shelf portion can befolded down from a vertical position to position the horizontal portionof the shelf portion perpendicular to the vertical portion, and thesupport portion of the shelf portion will extend perpendicular to thehorizontal portion and parallel to the vertical portion. The supportportion acts like a table leg or chair leg to support the horizontalportion, and to allow the shelf portion to support the weight of anobject placed thereon. By folding the shelf portion into position (asshown), the internal volume of the box 410 is divided into the threeillustrated portions, including the frozen compartment 411, the chilledcompartment 412, and the ambient compartment 413.

In some embodiments, the frozen compartment 411 can be defined by aninsulating box or insulating insert configured to fit within at least aportion of the receptacle 400. The insulating box or insert can have atleast one vertical wall which can form the vertical portion of thedivider 414. The shelf portion can be a separate piece comprising ahorizontal portion and a support portion. The support portions canextend vertically to the horizontal portion to provide support for thehorizontal portion, to allow the shelf portion to form a compartmentbelow the horizontal portion, such as the chilled compartment 412, andto receive objects on the horizontal portion, such as in the ambientcompartment 413.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the embodimentdescribed in FIG. 4B is exemplary only, and that many and variousembodiments can be realized with various modifications of thedescriptions provided herein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the shipping box 500as described herein. In this embodiment, the stackable shipping box 500may be comprised of a suitable material for the construction of boxes,such as, for example, corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, plastics,polymers, and recycled materials. Corrugated fiberboard may comprisethree main layers: two flat linerboards with fluted medium between thelinerboards. The choice of the material for the fluted medium and forthe linerboards can vary depending on the various applications andrequirements for strength, but generally are manufactured with paper.The linerboards can be single-walled, double-walled, or triple-walled,depending on the various applications or requirements of strength androbustness. In some embodiments, the corrugated fiberboard comprises afirst linerboard 505, a second linerboard 510, and a fluted medium 515.

In some embodiments, the corrugated fiberboard, paperboard, or other boxmaterial further comprises a layer of water- and grease-resistantcoating 520. The water- and grease-resistant coating can be, forexample, a polymer. One example of a polymer that is water- andgrease-resistant is Micryl™ 766RN, which may be applied to one or bothof the first and second linerboards 505 and 510. Another example ofwater- and grease-resistant material is a closed-cell foam, which notonly provides water- and grease-resistance, but also helps insulate theshipping receptacle. The water- and grease-resistance coating 520 may beapplied to or integrated with the corrugated fiberboard, which preventsthe assembled stackable shipping box from soaking up liquid andcondensation as is common with the shipment of perishable goods. Inaddition, the water- and grease-resistance coating 520 enables a user toreadily clean the box prior to reuse without the prospect of damagingthe box in the process of cleaning. The water- and grease-resistancecoating 520 is applied or integrated by various means, but by way ofillustration only, the material may be laminated or glued onto thecorrugated fiberboard. In particular, the water- and grease-resistancecoating 520 may be gluable with cold set and hot melt adhesives.

As one of skill in the art recognizes, containers for the shipment ofperishable goods are commonly reused. The shipment of perishable goodsfrequently soils the shipping containers. In order to prepare thecontainer for reuse, the shipping company must first clean thecontainer. However, certain materials are not amendable for cleaning,such as cleaning by water, because the material readily breaks down.Corrugated fiberboard comprised of paper is not capable of withstandingthe cleaning process without breaking down. However, the placement ofthe water- and grease-resistance coating 520 on the corrugatedfiberboard surface assists in the ease of cleaning and also enables thecontainer itself to withstand the cleaning process and thereby becomesuitable for reuse. In some embodiments of the reusable box, the boxhaving a water- and grease-resistant coating applied thereon isrecyclable.

The above description discloses several embodiments and materials areusable box. This reusable box is susceptible to modifications andalterations in the embodiments. Such modifications will become apparentto those skilled in the art from consideration of this disclosure orpractice of the reusable box disclosed herein. Consequently, it is notintended that this reusable box be limited to the specific embodimentsdisclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternativescoming within the true scope and spirit of the reusable box as embodiedin the attached claims.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also statedabove, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to including any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged orexcluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The above description discloses several methods and materials of thepresent invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in themethods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methodsand equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilledin the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of theinvention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that thisinvention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, butthat it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the truescope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle for the shipment of goods, thereceptacle comprising: a first side face having a first support slotformed therein; a first flap attached to the first side face, the firstflap comprising a second support tab formed along an edge of the firstflap; a second side face disposed opposite the first side face; and asecond flap attached to the second side face, the second flap comprisinga second support slot and a first support tab, wherein the first supporttab is disposed in the first support slot and the second support tab isdisposed in the second support slot.
 2. The receptacle according toclaim 1, further comprising a front face attached to the first sideface.
 3. The receptacle according to claim 2, further comprising a rearface attached to the first side face and the second side face.
 4. Thereceptacle according to claim 3, wherein the front face furthercomprises a front handle opening and the rear face further comprises arear handle opening.
 5. The receptacle according to claim 1, furthercomprising a removable divider insertable into the receptacle to divideand interior volume of the receptacle into at least two sections.
 6. Asystem of receptacles comprising: a plurality of receptacles, each ofthe plurality of receptacles comprising: a front face having a top edgeand a bottom edge; a rear face opposite the front face, the rear facehaving a top edge and a bottom edge; a first side face; and a secondside face opposite the first side; and a platform disposed at a locationbetween the top edge and the bottom edge of the front and rear faces;wherein the top edge of the front face is longer than the bottom edge ofthe front face and the top edge of the rear face is longer than thebottom edge of the rear face such that the receptacle tapers in a firstdimension.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the taper of each of theplurality of receptacles is such that a bottom portion of a first one ofthe plurality of receptacles is configured to be inserted into a topportion of a second one of the plurality of receptacles.
 8. The systemof claim 7, wherein the platform is disposed above the bottom surface,and wherein the platform and the bottom surface are spaced apart and aredisposed generally parallel to each other.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein when the bottom portion of the first one of the plurality ofreceptacles is inserted into the top portion of the second one of theplurality of receptacles, the bottom surface of the first one of theplurality of receptacles contacts the platform of the second one of theplurality of receptacles.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein a surfacearea of the platform of each one of the plurality of receptacles islarger than a surface area of the bottom surface of each one of theplurality of receptacles.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the firstside face and the second side face of each of the plurality ofreceptacles further comprise a top edge and a bottom edge, and whereinthe top edge of the first side face and the second side face is longerthan the bottom edge of the second side face of each of the plurality ofreceptacles.
 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the difference in thelength of the top edges of the first and second side faces and thebottom edges of the first and second side faces causes the receptacle totaper in a second dimension.
 13. The system of claim 6, wherein thefront face of each of the plurality of receptacles comprises a fronthandle, and wherein the rear face of each of the plurality ofreceptacles comprises a rear handle, and wherein the platform isdisposed below a level of the first and second handles.
 14. A system ofreceptacles comprising: a plurality of receptacles, each of theplurality of receptacles comprising: a front face having a top edge anda bottom edge; a rear face opposite the front face, the rear face havinga top edge and a bottom edge; a first side face; and a second side faceopposite the first side; and wherein the top edge of the front face islonger than the bottom edge of the front face and the top edge of therear face is longer than the bottom edge of the rear face such that thereceptacle tapers in a first dimension, the taper of each of theplurality of receptacles being such that a bottom portion of a first oneof the plurality of receptacles is configured to be inserted into a topportion of a second one of the plurality of receptacles.